Biological polarized light reflectors in stomatopod crustaceans

Chiou, T.H., Cronin, T.W., Caldwell, R.L. and Marshall, J. (2005). Biological polarized light reflectors in stomatopod crustaceans. In: Joseph A. Shaw and J. Scott Tyo, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing II. Optics and Photonics 2005, San Diego, California, USA, (58881B-1-58881B-9). 2-4 August.


Author Chiou, T.H.
Cronin, T.W.
Caldwell, R.L.
Marshall, J.
Title of paper Biological polarized light reflectors in stomatopod crustaceans
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name Optics and Photonics 2005
DOI 10.1117/12.613117
Conference location San Diego, California, USA
Conference dates 2-4 August
Proceedings title Polarization Science and Remote Sensing II
Editor Joseph A. Shaw
J. Scott Tyo
Place published Bellingham, USA
Publisher International Society for Optical Engineering
Publication date 2005
Volume number 5888
ISBN 0819458937
Start page 58881B-1
End page 58881B-9
Total pages 9
Collection year 2005
Abstract/Summary Body parts that can reflect highly polarized light have been found in several species of stomatopod crustaceans (mantis shrimps). These polarized light reflectors can be grossly divided into two major types. The first type, usually red or pink in color to the human visual system, is located within an animal’s cuticle. Reflectors of the second type, showing iridescent blue, are located beneath the exoskeleton and thus are unaffected by the molt cycle. We used reflection spectropolarimetry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study the reflective properties and the structures that reflect highly polarized light in stomatopods. For the first type of reflector, the degree of polarization usually changes dramatically, from less than 20% to over 70%, with a change in viewing angle. TEM examination indicates that the polarization reflection is generated by multilayer thin-film interference. The second type of reflector, the blue colored ones, reflects highly polarized light to all viewing angles. However, these reflectors show a slight chromatic change with different viewing angles. TEM sections have revealed that streams of oval-shaped vesicles might be responsible for the production of the polarized light reflection. In all the reflectors we have examined so far, the reflected light is always maximally polarized at around 500 nm, which is close to the wavelength best transmitted by sea water. This suggests that the polarized light reflectors found in stomatopods are well adapted to the underwater environment. We also found that most reflectors produce polarized light with a horizontal e-vector. How these polarized light reflectors are used in stomatopod signaling remains unknown.
Subjects E1
270502 Neurobiology
780105 Biological sciences
0205 Optical Physics
0606 Physiology
Keyword Biological signal
Polarization vision
Polarized light
Stomatopod
Structural polarization
Q-Index Code E1

 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 6 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 54 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Thu, 23 Aug 2007, 20:48:57 EST